Beauty

[Texasmouse]

This morning, I went to have a free 30-minute mini-facial at a new location near me that had sent out coupons to people in our area, to attract clients. When the young esthetician examined my face, she said I had a lot of "congestion" and that I needed to be exfoliating regularly. I explained that I was using a 2% BHA every day but she said that I should be using a physical exfoliant in addition to that because the BHA isn't enough. She gave me a sample of a rice enzyme powder exfoliant from the line they carry, Dermalogica. I went home and got on Paula's website again because I remembered that she said chemical exfoliants (AHA or BHA) are the way to go but now I'm confused. What do you ladies think? 

[HappyDaze]

I supose it depends on how congested your skin really is but the BHA will actually get down deep into the pore to clean it out whereas a physical scrub will not to the same degree and is more to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Assuming that what she meant by "congested" is clogged pores?  It probably also depends on how sensitive your skin is. I know personally I would not use both. I don't need both and my skin couldn't tolerate both. Plus I trust my derms (I have two) and they both say the BHA is enough for me and both prefer them over physical exfoliants because there is always potential to use too rough of a physical exfoliant (never ground nut shells, etc!) or scrub too hard or use them too often, all of which can cause damage to the skin. 

You should also ask yourself- Are you happy with your skin? Do you find you still have alot of blackheads?

What I would be leery about is the that it seems that  she is trying to push a product on you that they sell there. If she simply said she thought you needed a product like that to add to your regiment that is one thing but it seems like many of those types of places are always trying to sell you products and that is how they make alot of their money. I don't like places that do that. Some derm offices do that as well.

[Texasmouse]

@HappyDaze

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, she did seem to be plugging the brand they carry, saying that the products are also found in dermatologists' offices, that the ingredients were superior, etc. 

Maybe I should bite the bullet and see a dermatologist (don't have one now) and see what is recommended for me. I have noticed a decrease in pore size around my nose since using the BHA but yes, I still get a lot of blackheads and I have a lot of milia as well. 😞

[henderson]

I've been using Paula's products since 1995 and also use her BHA as well as her AHA (I alternate).  I would suggest doing that.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

@Texasmouse  I met an esthetician at a beauty industry trade show once who told me the secret to beautiful skin is to peel, peel, peel.  I've never forgotten the conversation so because of that I believe in doing both chemical and physical exfoliation. She didn't sell me on a line or a particular product.  That, I came to on my own through my own trial and error.  My skin is not particularly sensitive so what I'm doing is working for me. You would have to evaluate your own situation and proceed accordingly.  IMO, the chemical exfoliants work BELOW the skin's surface while the physical exfoliants work ON the skin's surface.  I alternate between a glycolic pad and a physical exfoliant (I have a few that I like) during the week then something "more" on the weekend.  I was doing either a Michael Todd Wild Berry Peel or a Skinn ABC Peel every weekend, but have backed off to every other weekend.  My skin is in the best condition ever. 

[Texasmouse]

Thank you @JeanLouiseFinch! 😊

[Texasmouse]

Thank you @henderson!

[rochelleS]

I have a dumb question. Where does the debris using the chemical type (BHA etc) products go? Instructed to leave on, followed by additional serums, moisturizer, SPF and then our makeup.....Where's the escape route for this celluar schmutz?  Can someone please explain?  At least with manual exfoliation we wash the product off, taking along old skin in the rinsing. 

[Texasmouse]

@rochelleS

That's not a dumb question at all! I'd like to know, myself! 😆

[sueinsf]

I typically use both physical and chemical exfoliants. You could also try an AHA/BHA combo as well (like Dr. Gross Peel Pads or Paula's Choice).  If you want to try something gentle that is a combo physical/chemical/enzymatic exfoliation you might want to check out Perlier's Black Rice Exfoliating Facial Cream on HSN which is probably far less expensive that what an esthetician might sell.